Increased weight average molecular weight esterified cellulose ether is produced in a process for reacting cellulose ether with aliphatic monocarboxylic anhydride and dicarboxylic anhydride, the process comprising: a) cellulose ether, dicarboxylic anhydride And b) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature between 60 ° C. and 110 ° C. before, during or after mixing the components of the reaction mixture; Adding the acid anhydride to the reaction mixture of step a) in succession or at least in three portions to complete the reaction. [Selection figure] None